A Blue K Street
With the shift to a Democratic-controlled Congress have come several shifts in other institutions. The press has been busy filling us in on Harry Reid's and Nancy Pelosi's penchant for earmarks and pork, with various articles on John Murtha's brush with an FBI investigation (in which he declined the bribe offered) and other Democratic congress critters' ethical lapses. It's as if journalists want to make sure that the public doesn't get any funny ideas that things are going to change in Washington, that Democrats are any different than Republicans when it comes to corruption and malfeasance. Today, the NY Times has an article which discusses how lobbying firms are now being inundated with resumes from Democrats looking for work on K Street.
Once into the article, however, one senses that business just might not go on as usual in the lobbying industry.
Democratic lobbyists are fielding calls from pharmaceutical companies, the oil and gas industry and military companies, all of which had grown accustomed to patronizing Republicans, as the environment in Washington abruptly shifts.
The Republican Party lost its grip on Congress and is now bracing to lose its hold over K Street, the bustling corridor that has become synonymous with the lobbying industry. The so-called K Street Project, an effort engineered by Republicans to dominate the trade, is unraveling, and Democrats say they intend to pass sweeping reforms rather than reverse the project for their benefit.
“The Republicans’ view of lobbying is we give people money, we buy them lunch and then go up and tell them what to do,” said Mr. Elmendorf, whose client roster included Shell Oil and Ford before the election and has grown since then. “We go in and make public policy arguments. The business community is going to have to reorient their view.” [Emphasis added.]
Lobbying is not in and of itself dishonorable. It is a way for a particular interest group to get lawmakers' attention on the differing perpsectives on an issue being considered. The dishonorable part comes when money and special benefits like lunch, or trips abroad, or the use of corporate jets get exchanged for votes. Nancy Pelosi has promised to get tough on such practices and to get new House Rules into effect which will put teeth into that promise. The House Ethics Committee will actually function as it was originally intended to, she has asserted.
If she carries through on her promises, then she will have accomplished a lot. Perhaps then the mainstream media will find other things to write about.
Once into the article, however, one senses that business just might not go on as usual in the lobbying industry.
Democratic lobbyists are fielding calls from pharmaceutical companies, the oil and gas industry and military companies, all of which had grown accustomed to patronizing Republicans, as the environment in Washington abruptly shifts.
The Republican Party lost its grip on Congress and is now bracing to lose its hold over K Street, the bustling corridor that has become synonymous with the lobbying industry. The so-called K Street Project, an effort engineered by Republicans to dominate the trade, is unraveling, and Democrats say they intend to pass sweeping reforms rather than reverse the project for their benefit.
“The Republicans’ view of lobbying is we give people money, we buy them lunch and then go up and tell them what to do,” said Mr. Elmendorf, whose client roster included Shell Oil and Ford before the election and has grown since then. “We go in and make public policy arguments. The business community is going to have to reorient their view.” [Emphasis added.]
Lobbying is not in and of itself dishonorable. It is a way for a particular interest group to get lawmakers' attention on the differing perpsectives on an issue being considered. The dishonorable part comes when money and special benefits like lunch, or trips abroad, or the use of corporate jets get exchanged for votes. Nancy Pelosi has promised to get tough on such practices and to get new House Rules into effect which will put teeth into that promise. The House Ethics Committee will actually function as it was originally intended to, she has asserted.
If she carries through on her promises, then she will have accomplished a lot. Perhaps then the mainstream media will find other things to write about.
posted by Diane at 3:55 AM
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